Ball cock



April 23, 1940. F. c. .ROBERTSHAW 2. l98,4l6

BALL COCK Filed Jan. 11, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [5- INVENTOR MQ? M/ W ATTORNEYIS April 1940. F. c. ROBERTSHAW .1 .416

BALL COCK Filed Jan. 11, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jame & zwnm BY 'MXMM/ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 5 Claims.

My invention relates to valves, particularly to float-valves or ball cocks of the sort commonly used in the flushing tanks of toilet bowls and the like, and consists in refinements in the construction of such valves and in a more effective organization of the several structural elements thereof.

As shown in Letters Patent No. 647,706, granted April 1'7, 1900, to F. W. Robertshaw, the usual float-valve or ball cock consists in, a valve chest provided with inlet and outlet passages, and including a plunger-type valve movable to and from a valve-seat in response to the upward and downward swing of a lever carrying a ball-float. The valve is installed adjacent to the bottom of the tank whose operation is to be controlled, and, when the tank is filled and the water stands at the normal level, the buoyancy forces eifective on the float operate through the lever to exert a downward thrust on the valve-plunger, holding the lower end of such plunger to its seat, and preventing flow between said inlet and outlet passages. When the tank is emptied (as by a bowl-flushing operation) the ball-float descends, the lever swings, and the valve-plunger is lifted from its seat, permitting water to flow through the valve-chest into the tank. When the tank is refilled, the ball-fioat, having been borne upward by the rising body of water, operates through the i lever to return the plunger to its seat and close the valve. The upper end of the valve-plunger extends into and snugly fits a cylinder formed in the body of the valve-chest, and a passage extends axially through the plunger, in such manner that water, under supply pressure, is fed through the plunger to the cylinder. When the plunger is seated, water under supply pressure is effective on both the upper and lower ends of the plunger. For this reason the valve is called a balanced valve. The effective area of the lower end of the plunger is larger than that of the upper end, and while the total hydraulic pressure tending to unseat the valve-plunger exceeds the hydraulic pressure tending to seat it, the lever and float device makes up for the difference. The operation of the valve is as described, and the forces effective upon the valve-plunger are so far balanced that the valve operates properly, even though there be substantial variations in pressure of the supply water.

In the usual float-valve or ball cock, as exemplified by the structure described above, the

operation is noisy-there is an annoying hissing sound and chatteringwhen the valve is open and the emptied tank is being refilled. The noise is particularly noticeable as the filling operation is nearing completion and the valve is closing. Additionally, I have found that in service sediment collects in the cylinder, into which the upper end of the valve-plunger extends, and tends to cause the plunger to stick, it being noted that, while the cylinder is open to the ingress of water at supply pressure, there-is no such flow through the cylinder as to wash out sediment and other foreign material that may be carried in. And it has been also found that the structures in use hitherto are difficult to inspect, clean, and repair. The object of my invention is to provide a floatvalve which eliminates these objections.

More particularly, the invention consists in a new and more effective organization of the several elements or parts ofa float-valve, by virtue of which I eliminate the above-noted objections, and obtain advantages of the nature indicated in the ensuing specification.

In the accompanying drawings a Valve embodying the structure and organization of 7 this invention is illustrated. Fig. I is a view in side elevation of the entire valve structure; Fig. II is a fragmentary View to larger scale, showing the body of the valve structure, partly in axialsection and partly in side elevation;' Fig. III is a view to still larger scale, showing the valve-plunger of the structure in section, on the plane indicated at IIIIII in Fig. I; Fig. IV is a view, comparable with Fig. I, showing the valve with certain modifications in'structure and organization; and Fig. V is a fragmentary View, showing the modified valve to larger scale and partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral is applied to the chest or body of the valve structure, including an inlet passage or chamber 2, adapted for connection to a water supply line, and. an outlet passage or chamber 3, adapted to communicate, by way of an orifice 4, with the water-storing compartment of a watercloset, or the like. The body I includes a movable valve-plunger 5 for controlling flow through the valve, and such plunger is responsive in its movement to the swinging of a lever B that carries a ball-float l on the end of an arm 60, secured in usual way to the upper end of lever 6. More specifically, the body I includes windows 8 in its opposite sides, exposing the medial body portion of the plunger 5; the opposite sides of such exposed body portion of the plunger are recessed, as indicated at 9; the lower end of the lever B is bifurcated, with the two legs 6a thereof extending horizontally on opposite sides of the valvechest I and pivoted at their ends to such chest, by means of a common pivot l0; and said legs Ba of the bifurcated end of the lever are severally provided with disk-like enlargements 61) that lie within the recesses 9 in the opposite sides of the plunger 5. When the lever B swings clockwise about its pivot IS, the disk portions 6b on the legs 6a bear against lower shoulders 9a formed by the recesses 9 in the plunger, and urge the plunger downward; alternately, when the lever swings counter-clockwise, the disk portions 6b engage upper shoulders 9b and shift the plunger upward.

Typically, the plunger 5 comprises an essentially cylindrical body of metal-brass in this case. At one end the plunger carries a rubber washer or gasket ll, held in place by a screw I2. At its opposite end, the plunger is of reduced diameter, forming a piston portion l3, to the end of which a leather cup-washer I4 is secured, by means of a screw 15. The body of the plunger includes an axially extending bore [6, and the screws 12 and I5 are severally bored from end to end, so that a passage extends through the body of the plunger 5 and opens at its opposite ends through the screws [2 and I5, respectively.

Contrary to usual practice, the valve-plunger 5 is arranged in the valve-chest I with its cupwasher or piston end l3, I4 directed toward the water inlet passage 2, and with the valve-seat that normally is engaged by the plunger-gasket ll arranged in the outlet passage 3. More specifically, a cylinder I1 is formed in (or adjacent to) the inlet passage 2 of the valve-body l, and in this cylinder the cup-washer end l3, I4 of the valve-plunger is reciprocable. The valveseat in the outlet passage 3 is formed by the lower edge 18 of a hollow screw-plug l9 secured in the wall of the valve-chest, as shown, and, when the tank in which the valve is installed is filled with water to predetermined level, buoyancy forces acting on the ball-float I are effective to hold the plunger gasket H securely against the seat l8. Thus, communication between the inlet and outlet passages 2 and 3 of the valve is blanked and flow of water prevented.

It will be perceived that the screw-plug l9 includes a chamber 20, extending outward from its seat-forming edge l8, and it will be understood that, when the valve-plunger is seated against such edge I8, the chamber 20 is closed, save for the passage it that extends through the plunger and delivers water at supply pressure to such chamber. The area of the gasket-carrying end (ll) of the plunger, which is exposed to hydraulic pressure within the chamber 20, is preferably greater than the area of the cup-washer end l3, M, which is exposed to hydraulic pressure in cylinder [1. Thus, when the valve is closed, the differential area subjected to hydraulic pressure produces a force which is normally effective to unseat the valve-plunger, and it is important to note that such force tending to unseat the valve-plunger is augmented by the effect of gravity on the lever 6, arm 60, and floatball 1, while the buoyancy of the float is effective to equalize and overpower such hydraulic and gravitational forces, and to hold the valveplunger to its seat.

When the water sustaining the ball-float is suddenly withdrawn, such as by a bowl-flushing operation of the tank in which the valve is installed, the ball-float moves downward, the lever 6 swings clockwise, and the valve-plunger moves from seated position. (Note the position shown in Fig. II.) Immediately, water flows from inlet chamber 2, through the passage l8, outlet 3, orifice 4, and into the water-storing tank. With the unseating of the valve-plunger flow occurs through the restricted passage 16, and there is a resulting drop in static pressure between chambers l7 and 20. Such pressure differential produces a force upon the valve-plunger that opposes and equalizes the effect of gravity on the valve-plunger and float device. In other words, the valve-plunger is sustained in open position in a state of equilibrium--it floats or hangs under the influence of equalized and opposing forces. Of course, when the tank is filled, the ball-float l rises and the valve-plunger 5 is restored to closed or seated position.

In case the water pressure in the supply line should decrease while the valve is open, the hydraulic force effective on the plunger also decreases and the valve-plunger will, manifestly, move further away from the seat l8, and in such movement will maintain the described condition of equilibrium and increase the effective discharge area between the gasket II and seat [8. Due to the greater discharge area there is less resistance to flow. Alternately, if the supply line pressure should increase while the valve is open, the hydraulic force effective on the plunger will also increase and the valve-plunger will move closer to the seat l8, decreasing the discharge area while maintaining the condition of equilibrium. Thus it is that within practical limits, the valve automatically adjusts itself to fluctuations in supply-line pressure. This is a valuable feature of operation. l

Additionally, it is important to note that in my valve, the water enters the cup-washer end l3, M of the plunger by way of the open cylinder l1, whereby there is no possibility of sediment accumulating and interfering with free operation. As to the gasket-carrying end ll of the plunger, the problem is not so acute, but it may be mentioned that the water flowing while the valve is open washes the walls of chamber 20 and prevents accumulation of foreign material.

In order to inspect the valve, it is not necessary to disturb it in its position of assembly with the tank and water supply line-the removal of the screw-plug i9 is all that is required. If a new gasket H or cup-washer i4 is required, the pin I0 is withdrawn and the float-lever 6 removed; then the plunger 5 is readily removed from the valve and the replacement made.

I have shown a plug 2| closing a threaded opening in the upper wall of the valve-body I. This plug may be removed and the conventional after fill tube installed, as those of the art will appreciate.

As has been already mentioned, the valve structure is arranged at or immediately above the bottom of the tank in which it serves, and in such position it is submerged at all times, save, possibly, for the moment when the tank is completely empty and refilling has begun and is in progress. The inundation or submergence of the valve, together with the features of structure described, makes for the desired quiet operation.

In some cases it has been found that the use of any type of submerged valve is objectionable, for the reason that there is danger of water syphoning back into the supply line, in the event that the water supply should fail or be temporarily interrupted. Of course, by mounting the valve structure above the normal surface of the water in the tank, and providing for the entrance of air into the line of flow from valve to tank, all danger of back syphonage is eliminated, but unfortunately in an above-water installation the problem of noisy operation becomes more acute than ever. I have discovered a solution of the problem, and in Figs. IV and V, I illustrate modifications in structure which are eiTective to the ends in mind.

The modified valve structure consists in a body la including a plunger 5a cooperating with a lever 513a and float 111-. The valve structure is mounted upon the upper end of a pipe 50, which at its lower end is secured in the floor of the tank (not shown) and connected to a water supply line, and, extending vertically in the tank, supports the valve structure above the normal level of water in the tank. The form or the lever arm 69a is changed from arm 6, 60 shown in Fig. I, to adapt the valve structure for proper operation under the altered conditions of installation.

As in the structure first described, the valveplunger5a of the modified valve carries a cup washer Ma arranged in a cylinder H0. in the inlet end of the valve body; and the upper end of the plunger carries a gasket i la that cooperates with a seat 18a, formed on a screw-plug la, in controlling flow from the passage 16a of the valve-plunger into the outlet passage 3:; of the valve. As distinguished from the structure first described, the body of the valve-plunger 5a. is of uniform diameter above and below the recess 9a in which the legs 60b of the lever 60a lie, and the gasket I In is of larger diameter than the plunger, whereby the desired ratio between the efiective areas of the opposite ends of the plunger is obtained. As in the case of the first structure, the screw-plug I9a includes a chamber 20a. In service this screw-plug is readily ac'cessible above the water in the tank, and may by rotation be adjusted, to regulate the valve-seat Hla in most effective position with respect to the gasket-carrying end of the valve-plunger. In further refinement it is to be noted that the gasket I la is secured to the plunger, by means of a knurled nut l2a in threaded engagement with a tubular extension 5b on the plunger. The tubular extension 51) so far extends from the plunger that the mouth of the passage Isa opening therethrough is, normally, positioned in chamber 20a. These features are valuable in inhibiting turbulence of flow and in securing quiet operation of the structure.

In still further refinement to such end, I provide an enlargement 36a in the outlet passage of the valve. From the walls of this enlargement a discharge orifice 4a opens into the tank in which the valve is installed, and a passage Zla opens for attachment of the usual afterflow tube 21b. It is important to note that the discharge orifice 4a. is located at a substantial distance above the valve-seat I, by virtue of which a pool of water is maintained in the outlet passage 3a and enlargement 3%. The outlet end of the passage Him and the valve-seat l8a are always submerged, in such manner as to inhibit hissing and other sounds when the valvestructure is in operation, particularly when the valve-plunger is returning from open position to its seat Illa. Thus, while the valve structure is installed above the normal level of water in the tank, the desired quiet operation of the valve is obtained. And since, as already mentioned, the water-delivering outlet 4a is located above the level of the water in the tank, air enters the reservoir chamber 30a and prevents backthough the tube Zlb should be unintentionally or intentionally arranged with its mouth below the surface of the water in the tank.

Within the terms of the appended claims, vari ous modifications and refinements are in contemplation.

I claim as my invention:

1. A structure of the class described including a valve-chest, a valve-seat and'a cylinder embodied in said chest in aligned and spaced-apart relation, a chamber which opens through said seat, a valve-plunger adapted at one end to engage said seat and close said chamber and carrying at its opposite end a piston arranged in said cylinder, said chest including an inlet passage for receiving water under pressure at the piston-carrying end of said plunger, said plunger including a duct for leading water from said inlet passage to said chamber, float-operated means arranged normally to hold said plunger in engagement with said seat, whereby said chamber is closed and water under pressure is eiTective on the seated end of said plunger and opposes the pressure of the water effective on the piston-carying end thereof, said chest including an outlet passage at the seat-engaging of said plunger, said float-operated means being movable to shift said plunger from engagement with said seat, whereby communication is established for the flow of water through said duct in the plunger into said outlet passage.

2. A structure of the class described including a valve-chest, a valve-seat and a cylinder embodied in said chest in aligned and spacedapart relation, said seat being formed in a member removably secured in the body of said chest, and said member including a chamber which opens through said seat, a Valve-plunger adapted at one end to engage said seat and close said chamber and carrying at its opposite end a piston arranged in said cylinder, said chest including an inlet passage for receiving water under pressure. at the piston-carrying end of said plunger, said plunger including a ductfor leading water from said inlet passage tosaid chamber, float-operated means arranged normally to hold said plunger in engagement with said seat, whereby said chamber is closed and water 11.nder pressure is eifective on the seated end of said plunger and opposes the pressure of the water effective on the piston-carrying end thereof,

said chest including an outlet passage at the seat-engaging end of said plunger, said floatoperated means being movable to shift said plunger from engagement with said seat, whereby communication is established for the flow of water through said duct in the plunger into said outlet passage.

3. A structure of the class described including a valve-chest, a valve-seat and a" cylinder embodied in said chest in vertically aligned and spaced-apart relation, a chamber opening through said seat, a valve-plunger adapted at its upper end to engage said seat from belowand siphoning of water into the supply line, even close said chamben said plunger carrying at its lower end a piston arranged in said cylinder, said chest including an inlet passage for receiving water under pressure at the piston-carrying end of said plunger, said plunger including a duct for leading water from said passage at the piston-carrying end of the plunger to said chamber, float-operated means arranged normally to hold said plunger elevated in position of engagement with said seat, whereby said chamber is closed and water under pressure is effective upon the upper end of said plunger and opposes the pressure of the water effective on the lower end thereof, said chest including an outlet passage at the upper end of said plunger, said float-operated means being movable to shift said plunger downward from engagement with said seat, whereby communication is established for the flow of water through the duct in said plunger into said outlet passage.

4. A structure of the class described including a valve-chest, a valve seat and a cylinder embodied in said chest in aligned and spacedapart relation, said seat being formed in a member axially adjustable relatively to said cylinder, said member including a chamber which opens through said seat, a valve-plunger adapted at one end to engage said seat and close said chamber and carrying at its opposite end a piston arranged in said cylinder, said chest including an inlet passage for receiving water under pressure at the piston-carrying end of said plunger, said plunger including a duct for leading water from said inlet passage to said chamber, float-operated means arranged normally to hold said plunger in engagement with said seat, whereby said chamber is closed and water under pressure is effective on the seated end of said plunger and opposes the pressure of the water effective ;on the piston-carrying end thereof, said chest including an outlet passage at the seat-engaging end of said plunger, said float-operated means being movable to shift said plunger from engagement with said seat, whereby communication is established for the flow of water through said duct in the plunger into said outlet passage.

5. In a valve including a valve-chest having an inlet passage adapted to receive water under pressure, an outlet passage, a valve-seat arranged in the line of flow between said passages, and a valve; the refinements in structure and organization herein described in which said valve consists in a vertically elongated and vertically reciprocable member carrying at its upper end a valve-gasket adapted to engage said seat, said valve-member carrying at an interval below said gasket a piston, float-operated means for normally holding said valve in elevated position, with the gasket against said seat and communication between said passages blanked, said means being movable by gravity to shift said valve-member downward into position to move said gasket from said seat and establish communication between said passages, a duct establishing communication between the upper face of said gasket and the lower face of said piston, the water delivered into said inlet passage exerting pressure on said gasket from above and on said piston from below when the valve-member is in elevated, communication-interrupting position, and, when said valve-member stands in lowered, communication-establishing position, said water in the inlet passage exerting an upward thrust on said piston that opposes the effect of gravity on said float-operated means.

FREDERICK C. ROBERTSI-IAW. 

